A young Iady illegally detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) for 2 years for wearing a Biafra-themed dress has been released by a court.
Idara Gold, the 20-year-old lady was arrested by the DSS for wearing the outfit to celebrate her birthday.
Gold, an activist from Akwa Ibom State, was unlawfully arrested by the police on 8 November 2021 and detained in Enugu on charges of wearing the Biafran dress.
According to SaharaReporters, the policemen were said to have browsed through her phone.
“When they saw a picture she had posted online wearing a Biafran attire to celebrate her 20th birthday, she was arrested and handed over to DSS in Enugu from where she was transferred to DSS Headquarters, Abuja.
A human rights activist, Osimond Ugwu told SaharaReporters that“Since November 8th, 2021 to this day, the DSS has denied her access to her lawyer, family and friends, and have not charged her with any offence.”
Ugwu stated that when her family approached an Abuja High Court seeking enforcement of her fundamental rights, DSS filed an affidavit, claiming that they had concluded their investigation into the matter in January 2022.
In the affidavit, the DSS told the court that it had transferred her to a military barracks in Kainji, Niger State, in February and her case file had been transferred to the federal ministry of justice.
Back in 2021 when Gold was arrested and detained for 11 months without having access to her family and lawyers, it created an outrage. Many soon forgot the incident and she was left with only her family and a few concerned friends who followed up with the case.
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Outrage as 20-Year-Old Remains in DSS Custody for 10 Months for Adorning Biafran Outfit